The Concert

We are really smart.  Instead of getting on the bus at 11:30 to be taken to the Lincoln Memorial to get a seat and wait until the 2:30 start of the concert, your bloggers went back to their hotel, put their feet up and took a break.  At 1:30 we walked to the venue, got through security in 3 minutes and look at where we got to watch the concert!!  Not bad!  

And we are so glad we went.  It was spectacular, perfectly run,  just the right length.  Bruce Springsteen to Garth Brooks,  James Taylor to Stevie Wonder,  tons of great music, lots of actors reading about the various events that have happened leading up to this moment.  Even Tiger Woods spoke!  It was a love fest of the best order.  I don't know how many people were there......we looked back toward the Washington Monument and saw a virtual sea of people.  When Garth Brooks did "Shout" is was quite a sight.  We ARE one.

Gospel Breakfast

This morning we went to the National Building Museum where they were serving breakfast to about 3000 people.  The entertainment was a big group of gospel singers, speakers and even Carol King came on and sang all of her great songs - "Where you lead, I will follow....." etc.  I am attaching a short video to this blog - so hopefully that will give you and idea.  It was perfect for a Sunday celebration of unity.  The speakers made us realize the true repression of black people until this event and how joyful they - and all of us - are for this wonderful expression of UNITED States and a united population.

Fashinista edition

A few notes from last night:  Your bloggers arrived at the party and were a bit "underdressed."  The Democratic Fashionables looked very good, women in high heels and cocktail clothes, men in suits.  I was looking great in my Gaultier jacket, but wore my Uggs.  Tim decided against a tie.  But, we blended in and had fun.  Lots of the ladies were in printed jackets which was a little alarming.  Ben and Donna looked good and Ben took off his signature bow tie in honor of Tim.  There was a gentleman we photographed at the Fairmont later who had on matching socks and sweater with a plaid jacket.  That challenged our fashion outlook.  So far, lots of furs (very undemocratic?) and even some hats.   

First Night in Inauguland

We went to the National Museum of American History for a retirement party for Howard Dean who headed the Democratic National Committee and was instrumental in Obama's campaign.  He is fun and well liked and spoke about the need to change the country and that we now have the opportunity to do that.  The party was actually very spiffy and we got to see the Flag that is called the Stars Spangled Banner that inspired the song.  We also ran into friends from New York, Ben and Donna Rosen.  He is a competing blogger!  Then on to a party at the Convention Center and back to the hotel.  The action is beginning.......

Touchdown Washington

The train pulled out at 8 am from Penn Station and we were on it.  It was full of interesting people, most going to the big event.  We sat near the charming actor and musician Terrence Howard.  He was very entertaining and said, "I feel sorry for McCain.  I know what that feels like.  You are nominated and you sit there and watch someone else get up and take YOUR Oscar and they hold it all night and you have to watch them.  It's hard!"  We also met two very nice HBO people going down to set up for the Lincoln Center Concert tomorrow.  Union Station was all fancy for the arrival of the Presidential Party who are coming by train. ( Wilmington Station was empty pending the arrival of the train to pick up Joe Biden and there were police all along the route.)  We picked up credentials and we are ready to roll.

A Surprise

Leaving tomorrow, but we had to let you know that we were on a conference call with the DNC this morning.  They were explaining to us all the ins and outs of living through this experience and how it all will work and........President Elect Obama came on the line and talked to all of us!  He was telling us about taking the girls to the Lincoln Memorial a few days ago.  As they were reading the inaugural speeches of the various presidents his older daughter said to him, "You're the first African American President to do this.  It had better be good!"  So, he said he was under a lot of pressure.  He really is the most gracious person and thanked everyone for making it possible to put on this great big party.  A nice bonus moment.

48 Hours to GO

The new update is that if we meet at a predetermined place at 6 am on the morning of the Inauguration we can do through a security check, get on a bus and will be taken to the place where we will view the Swearing In.  Then!  A bus will take us to the viewing stand right across from the new President so we can watch the parade - and him.  So, we will get to do both after all. This sent me right to REI to buy long underwear and mountaineering gloves.  We are going to be there wearing all of our clothes at once and be outside for 9 hours.  I hope there is an opportunity to purchase an Irish Coffee along the way.  

We also learned on a conference call yesterday that there will be 11,000 people at the Western States Ball that night.  They suggested we eat before we go so we don't stand in a "noodle line" for an hour.  So, the voting is in and I am wearing the brown fluffy outfit hoping that the girth of the skirt will give us a little breathing room. ( I am really glad we decided to go to the benefit dinner on Monday night with Alice Waters cooking.  I am hoping it will be a smaller group.)

Next report from the East Coast........here we go..........